RALEIGH, N.C. — The effort to cut down on unwanted dogs and cats in North Carolina could hit

pet owners

in the wallet.

A state House subcommittee is recommending an assessment on pet food.

The tax could be as high as 10 cents on a 20-pound bag of dry food or 2 cents per can.

The goal is to raise $8 million to help fund a new animal welfare program that would include low-cost spaying and neutering.

"We think the pet-owner population in North Carolina would support this to try to deal with this overpopulation issue," committee member Mort Congleton said.

"I think it's ridiculous. It's bad enough that we're taxed on our food, and then to add more onto our beloved little animals," pet owner Brenda Hill said.

There is another proposal on the table that would allow people to designate a portion of their state income tax refund to the cause.

The proposed assessment would not be the first tax on animal food. Six years ago, the state added an assessment to commercial horse feed to help fund programs for the horse industry.